Official Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus
Spring 2009

Course Prefix and Number PSYC 2301
Course Title General Psychology

Instructor Nerdwina Braininac, PhD
Room Instructional Building, Room 215

Catalog Description
The course is a descriptive survey of the field of psychology. Topics surveyed will include: theory and research development, perception, learning, thinking, emotions, motivation, sexuality, personality, descriptions and treatment of mental illness.

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Semester Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: None

Introduction and Purpose
The purpose of this course is to develop student awareness of the psychological processes that influence individual behavior and provide students with an adequate background for specific and advanced courses in psychology. This course can be used to partially fulfill core curriculum and Hill College degree requirements and can be transferred to senior institutions.

Instructional Materials
Textbook: Mastering the World of Psychology. (3rd ed., 2007), Wood, Wood & Boyd; Allyn & Bacon Longman Publishers.

Supplies and additional materials: Proper note-taking materials and at least one hemisphere of your brain. Open minds and willingness to explore different ideas are a plus.

Objectives
At the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an awareness of the scientific method as it relates to understanding psychology by completing test items related to the scientific method with a minimum of 60% accuracy.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic core concepts and terms relating to the areas of the history of psychology, biological psychology, development, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, thought and language, intelligence and creativity, social psychology, motivation and emotion, personality, abnormal psychology, psychotherapy and health psychology by correctly answering test items with a minimum of 60% accuracy on major tests and the final exam.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the major theoretical perspective used in psychology by comparing and contrasting at least three of these perspectives within specific topic areas in an essay or discussion questions on major exams with at least 60% accuracy.

4. Apply psychological theories and concepts by analyzing journal articles in professional psychology journals and completing term papers/projects with at least 60% accuracy.

5. Employ the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition as it relates to psychology.

6. Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues related to human behavior.

7. Identify and understand the differences and commonalities of psychological processes within diverse cultures.

Methods of Instruction
The methods of instruction for this class include: Lecture, class discussion, class activities, video, guest speakers, homework assignments, special project.

Method of Evaluation
Grades in this course will be based on the following evaluative criteria:

3-5 tests containing both objective and essay questions 30%

Comprehensive final 20%

Homework Assignments 20%

Special Project 15%

Classroom participation 15%


Class Policies and Course Requirements

A. Class Policies
1. Regular and punctual attendance is expected and required.

2. "Excused" and "unexcused" absences are treated in exactly the same way as far as attendance policy is concerned except that excused absences allow the student to make up the work missed. (Refer to handbook for these policies).

3. Warnings may be issued after:

a. 3 consecutive hours or
b. a total of 4 hours absent

4. If a student misses more than 20% of the class, the student may be dropped with a grade of "F."

5. It should be remembered that absences always result in work being missed and that in spite of the best efforts of both the instructor and the student, this usually means grades will suffer.

6. In case of illness or similar emergency, a grade of incomplete (I) may be given. If course requirements are not competed during the next long semester, the grade of "I" will become an "F."

7. The College expects all students to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is beyond reproach. Students will be expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their experiences in the classroom. Any student found guilty of dishonesty in academic work is subject to disciplinary action. The College and its official representatives may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of any form of academic dishonesty including but not limited to the following:

a. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating on academic work, plagiarism and collusion.

b. cheating on academic work includes:

1. Copying from another student's test paper or other academic work.
2. Using, during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test.
3. Collaborating, without authority, with another student during an examination or in preparing academic work.

4. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test.

5. Substitution for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself, to take a test or prepare other academic work.

6. Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an administered test.

8. Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.

9. Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit.

10. Students should not expect to receive credit for any assignment completed after the announced deadline, except with the express permission of the instructor.

11. Procedures for discipline due to academic dishonesty shall be the same as in any other disciplinary action reviewed by the faculty member.

B. Course Requirements
1. Mastery of material with a 60% accuracy minimum for earned credit.
2. Reading as assigned.
3. Writing assignments.
4. Class participation, both group and individual, as assigned.